Growing Garlic in Ohio
vegetables
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Zone 5-6 fall
Why Hardneck Garlic?
Northern growers in Ohio should choose hardneck varieties. They’re more reliable in colder climates, produce scapes (a bonus crop), and offer bolder flavor than softneck types.
Recommended Hardneck Varieties
- German White — classic, strong flavor
- Northern White — cold-hardy and consistent
- Music — large cloves, easy to peel
- Leningrad — reliable in harsh winters
- Chesnok Red — excellent roasting garlic
- Romanian Red — spicy, stores well
When to Plant
Plant 4–6 weeks before your first hard frost — typically early to mid September in Ohio (Zone 5b–6a).
Soil Preparation
- Amend soil with compost or aged manure before planting
- Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer before planting (e.g., Gardens Alive Root Crops Alive)
Planting
- Raise up the bed for good drainage
- Separate cloves from the bulb, keeping the papery skin on
- Plant 2 inches deep, 4–6 inches apart, pointed end up
- Cover with 3–6 inches of mulch (straw or shredded leaves)
Fertilizer Schedule
| Timing | Fertilizer Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Before planting (Sept) | K-rich (potassium) | Root development |
| Spring green-up (Mar–Apr) | N-rich (nitrogen) | Leaf growth |
| May (bulb swell) | K-rich (potassium) | Bulb sizing |
Harvest
- Harvest when the bottom 3–4 leaves have browned but upper leaves are still green
- Cure in a warm, dry, ventilated area for 2–3 weeks
- Save your biggest bulbs for replanting in the fall